As the Frogs wrapped their final season in the WAC in 2000, they learned they would have to enter Conference USA without Franchione, who left TCU for Alabama to replace Mike DuBose. Hyman, who had landed Franchione in his first week on the job, would have to make another inspired hire. As Hyman interviewed a list of candidates that included Iowa State's Dan McCarney, Ohio's Jim Grobe and Middle Tennessee State's Andy McCollum, Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Gil Lebreton made a prediction:

"There are Frogs fans, I must report, who cling to the dream that after another two or three more winning football seasons, the Big 12 Conference -- or some other college football heavyweight -- will come knocking on the TCU door.